Beta Reader Opportunity for Wilson Mooney Eighteen at Last!

Want to read Wilson Mooney Eighteen at Last before everyone else? Want to meet with me and my small group of beta readers to discuss what you thought about the second book in the series? Well you can!

After much consideration and in the spirit of raising money for schools, I am going to auction off one (1) and only one spot for a lucky reader to become one of the betas for Wilson Mooney, Eighteen at Last (the second book in the WM Series).

So please keep checking back in the next week or two for details!

Love the opportunity to offer this to my passionate supporters!

With Gratitude,

Gretchen de la O

My Process as a Writer

Okay, so this is the moment I get to tell you a little about my process of writing Wilson Mooney, Almost Eighteen. I never story-boarded it. I didn’t plot or plan what events are going to invade Wilson and Max’s life. I never knew what was going to happen from one word to the next. I let the creative process take over my consciousness and let the story come through me. As a matter of fact, I was writing the second book in my Prototype Series when Wilson decided to whack me upside the head and scream my name.

I wasn’t looking to write her story; she just came to me one day. I think because the chapter I was writing in Prototype’s Hindsight is 20/20 was so intense that from the ashes of brutality and despair Wilson had to be born. Maybe it was self preservation on my part or the need for something light hearted to invade the murky crevices of the creative process Hindsight was imparting in my mind. Wilson Mooney, Almost Eighteen unfolded perfectly. I didn’t write one scene out of place. I let the story happen as she told it to me.

Now let’s fast forward to today. Suddenly chapters and events for the next book in Wilson’s story are coming at me from all different directions and times. I tend to find myself filling in gaps between sculptured experiences of her life.

In doing this, I’ve come to realize the responsibility I have to the thousands of people who have read and related to Wilson’s story. Those readers have fallen for her and Max, they have collaborated in sympathy for Nick and conspired to name all the Cindys in their lives. They’ve let the characters that used to only reside in my head, live in their soul.

So I don’t take my need to keep authentic to Wilson’s story lightly. And I honor every reader that is chomping at the bit to get their hands on the second book. So—thank you for being patient while you wait for Wilson to impart her story through me. I promise you, you’ll be just as engaged in the second book as you were in the first. At about 47 thousand words, and half way through writing the book, it will be worth the wait!

Wilson and Max Pictures!!

Just thought you'd like some pictures to see while waiting for the second book! Enjoy~

MAX

WILSON

CINDY

                                                          

GIRLS FROM SCHOOL

MAX

WILSON

                                                                   

MAX

WILSON

                                                               

MAX

ASPEN, COLORADO

FIRST KISS

TABOO

FORBIDDEN

PASSION

                                                                      

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Open Letter to Wilson from Gretchen

Wilson—Wilson—Wilson—what is life, but opportunities to grow and experience the moments I’ve created for you. The problem is, you and Max have decided to live your own lives and as much as I try and dictate what is going to happen; you both tend to pull back on the thick reigns I’ve lashed across your experience and gallop in the other direction.

It seems the expectations I have set for you may have been too conservative. The life I’ve envisioned for you has been overshadowed by your brilliance. Did I expect you to touch so many people? Maybe—but I never imagined you would change their lives.

It could’ve been your life story, or your innocence; maybe it was the thrill of your first experiences, or the agelessness of your soul. Damage or healed, no matter which way, you’ve become so much more than a character to people.

You represent a missed youth, a healed memory, and a time in a young girl’s life when everything seemed so powerful and yet completely powerless.

Your story found a way to tuck and nuzzle into the folds of people’s hearts. You’ve brought them so much more than I could have ever imagined.

So Wilson, I ask for your patience. Understand the words I type across the pages of your life aren’t merely letters of an alphabet mixed up to make up your world. They are words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters that make up your story.

Without your voice echoing in my ears and your story pummeling my every thought the world would have never had an opportunity to meet you.

So I guess it boils down to Thank You Wilson. Thank you for giving me a story to write, a group of characters to develop, and most of all—a love story that reminded me of what it felt like the first time I fell in love.

Your Muse,

Gretchen

The Community Focus!

Check out Wilson Mooney in the Community Focus!

 There are no words, or phrases I could say that could express the gratitude I feel for everyone who has supported me in my journey in becoming a published author. Your kind, heart-felt words mean so much to me. It is such an honor to touch so many lives. 

Wilson Mooney Release Party!

If there is one thing in the world that could humble you faster than being caught with your pants down around your ankles, it is being asked to read the first chapter of a book you wrote to a packed house. Okay call me a doofus; but in my mind, I thought who would want to hear me read, the first chapter of Wilson Mooney? I mean come on; there was amazing food, extraordinary people, and blended Skip and Go Nakeds to taste. We were in this beautiful home, celebrating the release of Wilson. Who would want something more??? Well I guess the people who came to share in the excitement of my debut novel wanted more. They wanted to hear the inflection of Wilson’s words and the inner most thoughts she shared using my voice.

I sat on the thin cushioned bench of a bay window. In front of me people busied themselves to settle in for an experience I chalked up as strange—they identified as creative. I soaked in the salts of vulnerability as I looked out in front of me. Every eye, every mouth, every moment of their anticipation began to fuel within me a love that ignited an ease that splashed from my head down to my toes. The music that danced slight in the air tangled delicately with the mood; like a faint glow that gave you a freedom to move through the darkness. The hush of the people, the clearing of my throat, and as the words I created poured passed my lips—chills vibrated throughout my entire body; it was their laughter and sighs, cued as perfect as I could have ever imagined, that filled the room. I shared with them an intimate look into my relationship with characters that only existed in my head a year and a half earlier and they gave me the confidence that what I wrote was worthy of their time.

If you asked me how I felt that night; I would have to say, humbled, amazed, proud, touched, fulfilled, grateful and of course, scared shitless!

Thank you for sharing a magical night with me! Whether you were there in body or spirit, I felt all your support and love.

One big thank you—I must shout out to the crew and contributors who made the release party such a success; Becky, Nana, Kathi, Debbie, Karley, Grandma K, Joe, Ed, Katerina, Melissa, Connie, Jared, Josh, Kyle, Nick and Nate (God don’t let me forget anyone and if I did, I am so sorry and will catch you on the flip-side).

Reviews Are In!

After a month of sales, reviews are being posted on Amazon about the book Check them out!

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Mooney-Almost-Eighteen-Gretchen/dp/098366580X/ref=cm_cr-mr-title